Dempsey: Strike is a disaster for GAA

THE stand being taken by the Cork players represents “a disaster” for the GAA at large, former Wexford manager Tony Dempsey said last night.

"As a GAA person I would not wish to comment on the internal affairs of Cork, but it's disastrous situation for the Association when the players, the County Board and the management arrive at an impasse."

Mr. Dempsey was speaking ahead of the Allstar's banquet at the Citywest Hotel. Interestingly, it was attended by senior hurler Wayne Sherlock, who was an Allstar nominee, whereas Joe Deane, another nominee, stayed at home for the team press conference.

Not surprisingly, GAA leaders declined to comment on the controversy. In general, players and officials who were guests at last night's banquet were reluctant to make any public comment on the issue. But, most expressed surprise that the matter had not been resolved before now. One former senior official made the comment that Cork would have been the last county where he would have expected such a scenario to develop.

Dempsey said that as a former manager and Central Council representative, he found that quite often 'a vacuum' existed between county committees, in relation to what Boards felt their responsibilities were and what players felt "they were entitled to!" He wondered if this was at the root of the current difficulties in Cork.

Agreeing that it was "a whole new scenario" for the Association, he expressed the hope that the matter could be resolved without too much delay.

Cyril Farrell, the former Galway manager made the suggestion that former team manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy or respected players like Ray Cummins or Tomas Mulcahy might be brought in to mediate.

"The matter is going to have be thrashed out at some stage. Maybe it might have been solved quicker if there games on-going. "Then it would have to be met head-on," he commented.

Meanwhile, Kerry coach Paidi O'Sé has urged the GAA to give the people a 'dig-out' by opening up Croke Park for the European Championships in 2008. He said this was "a chance to put this country on the map."

"Usually I'm very coveted about the game that I have played all my life and that's goes for Croke Park too." But he felt that on this occasion a compromise should be reached. "We are not setting a precedent here, and that's what a lot of GAA people think will happen, maybe that's why a lot of people are sceptical about it. What this would be is a once-off, to let soccer into Croke Park for what I believe is the second biggest soccer tournament in the world.

"It's also an ideal opportunity for the GAA to show that they have moved with the times relax it's ban and give the people of this country a 'dig-out', which would really put this country on the map," O'Sé added.

"Why would we turn this away? Just look at the revenue it would generate through TV and sponsorship a magnificent stadium on view to all the people of the world."